The air freight industry has witnessed a significant rise in emissions, with recent analysis from environmental organization Stand Earth revealing an increase of nearly one million tons of carbon dioxide annually. This surge is attributed to the pandemic’s impact on air travel, which shifted demand towards cargo-only fleets to ensure rapid delivery of goods. As a result, air freight now accounts for a substantial share of overall emissions in the aviation sector, prompting urgent calls for innovative solutions to mitigate environmental impacts.
One promising avenue is the adoption of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), which can reduce greenhouse gas emissions from aviation by up to 80% when utilized in its pure form compared to traditional jet fuels. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) projects that SAF could play a critical role in achieving long-term emission reduction targets for the industry. However, challenges remain, primarily concerning the cost of SAF—currently at least double that of conventional jet fuel—and the limited availability of supply. Addressing these challenges, the book and claim model has emerged as an effective mechanism for bridging the supply-demand gap in SAF.
The book and claim model allows airlines and businesses to benefit from the environmental advantages of SAF without the need for physical availability at their location. This innovative approach is vital for achieving science-based targets for emissions reduction, as highlighted by industry leaders like Bettina Paschke from DHL Express. With this model, air freight operators can immediately access the benefits of SAF, paving the way for broader adoption until production facilities are more widely distributed across the globe. Furthermore, initiatives such as Shell’s Avelia, a blockchain-powered digital solution, enhance transparency and credibility in the SAF marketplace, ensuring that both corporations and freight forwarders can confidently share and track their emissions reductions. For the air freight sector to realize the full potential of SAF, collaboration among stakeholders—including early adopters like DHL, solution providers such as Shell, and industry associations—is essential. This coordinated effort aims to foster standardization, enhance educational resources, and drive collective advocacy for sustainable practices in aviation.
Source: Mitigating emissions from air freight: Unlocking the potential of SAF with book and claim via MIT Technology Review